Leisure Options In Vienna

Vienna offers a modest selection of sports of both the spectator and participant variety; although it’s probably fair to say that the city is not known globally for producing any big teams or offering conditions especially suited to any particular sport. However, winter sports can be found if you are prepared to travel out of the city limits.

Spectator sports

Horse racing fans will find three separate racetracks in Vienna, those being the Rennbahn Krieau, Magna Racino and the Rennbahn Freudenau. The last of these three is by far the most prestigious and has a history dating back to the 1836. The season at Rennbahn Freudenau runs from April to November, during which time there are events in both flat racing and trotting plus the famous Vienna Derby in late June. The Rennbahn Krieau has racing every week of the year, while the Magna Racino follows the same season as the Rennbahn Freudenau. 

Football fans hoping to catch a local game can choose between two teams representing the city; Rapide-Wien, who play their games at Hannappi Stadion, and the Austrian national team (Österreichische National Team), who play at the Horr Stadion. The Ernst-Happel-Stadion is another sporting venue in the city, reserved for matches of major significance.

Participant sports

For those who like to keep fit or take part in physical activities, Vienna has a good selection of options on hand. Visitors with a penchant for winter sports will find the Hohe Wand Wiese resort located on the outskirts of the city, while Hirschenkogel and Ötscher are within a few hours drive. These resorts and others that are reachable by car or train offer some great slopes of varying lengths and gradients, and are suitable for skiers and snowboarders.

Hohe Wand Wiese is floodlit and hence allows night time skiing; it also has its own ski school, so complete novices can easily learn the basics and make the best of the facilities on offer. Meanwhile, if you are a mountain biking enthusiast, you’ll find off-road tours available through local biking companies – travel agents in the city can provide more information. Horseback riding, windsurfing, sailing, golf and ice skating list among the other activities available, while there are gymnasiums available in various parts of the city for those wanting to work out; Club Danube is a popular company and offers six different fitness centres within the Vienna area.